President Donald Trump has once again proposed arming a “small percentage” of teachers—particularly those with military or National Guard backgrounds—as a targeted strategy to protect students and deter school shootings. His remarks came during a recent press briefing in response to questions about growing security concerns in public schools.
Trump rejected the idea of placing active-duty National Guard troops inside schools full-time but emphasized the value of trained personnel already within the education system. He stated that certain educators, especially those with prior military service, could be vetted and authorized to carry firearms as a first line of defense in the event of an attack.
Trump explained, “We have great teachers that love our children. The parents love the children and teachers love the children too, and if you took a small percentage of those teachers that were in the military, that were distinguished in the military, that were in the National Guard, etc., etc., you let them carry…They’re trained, they know about weapons…I always thought that would be an alternative.”
The president originally floated the idea after the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where he advocated for arming up to 20 percent of “highly trained, gun adept” educators.
Trump has consistently argued that “gun-free zones” make schools more vulnerable by signaling that there is no armed resistance present.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from teachers’ unions and public safety officials. Opponents argue that introducing more firearms into schools increases the risk of accidental discharge, misidentification, or escalation during emergencies. However, many Second Amendment advocates support the plan, asserting that responsible gun ownership and self-defense training are key components of school safety.
Despite ongoing federal debates over gun control, the idea of arming teachers remains popular among conservative voters and school boards in several red states.
